Aryl nitrile oxide cycloaddition reactions in the presence of baker's yeast and β-cyclodextrin

Abstract

Contrary to recent reports, baker's yeast is not required for reactions of nitrile oxides with either ethyl cinnamate or 4-vinylpyridine to give isoxazolines. β-Cyclodextrin may alter the ratio of isomers isolated from the reactions of the cinnamate but only at concentrations of reactants much lower than those reported, and this effect is most likely due to selective product complexation rather than selective product formation.